Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

[BLeonard]

http://www.wivb.com/dpp/news/buffalo/should-the-ralph-be-moved-downtown

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - On Tuesday, the Buffalo Common Council tackled a question that has been kicked around for years: should the Buffalo Bills move their stadium from the suburbs to the city?

The drive is on to think "out of the pocket." Should taxpayers rush to put a $100 million to $200 million into the 40-year-old Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, or consider building a new stadium in Buffalo, a complex including a convention center for all seasons?

WUFO Radio Sports Director Pat Freeman stated, "We're talking about a facility with a retractable roof that can be used year-round for a variety of events." Freeman, who has covered the Bills for 18 years, says he hopes to meet with Erie County lawmakers in the next couple of weeks, and then with the governor.

-Bill

[ParanoidAndroid]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

Good luck getting NYS to invest in Buffalo on a similar scale that NYC gets.

[NOT THE DUDE...]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

i kind of like it in the middle of a neighborhood. i always thought that was cool and brought such a high school/college atmostphere that was unique

[TMu11]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

The taxpayers are on the hook either way. We might as well gain something useful out of it

[FlyingDutchman]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

I think the location could be better and a new stadium would obviously attract new events and bring in money to downtown Buffalo, however it would be a crime to lose that tailgating real estate and atmosphere which is the best in the country

[k-oneputt]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

Don't worry about it. Not happening.

[Blacksheep71]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

The problem is the ludicrous amounts of money that need to be invested in new stadia.

Even the Vikings stadium is costing close to a $1billion with the owners expected to contribute almost half that. I cannot see Ralph digging into his pockets at his age.

However I think the NFL help contribute to the building of new stadiums whilst if the city is going to invest up to $200m then we might have $250m-$300m in the bank. Naming rights could add another $100m into the pot.

You are then starting with $400m already available to use. For a multiple use 65,000 seat stadium with a retractable roof similar to the BC Place stadium costs upwards of $660m. Whether there are enough corporate sponsors and those prepared to stump up for executive boxes to make it economically viable is another question.

[Blacksheep71]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

This is the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

It cost $450m to build and held 62,760 for the 2010 World Cup. It also includes an indoor arena, transmodal transport system, sports institute and museum.

Due to its modular seating design, it can hold 54,000 for local games, 69,000 for cricket and up to 80,000 for a future Olympic games. It could be modified to make it exclusive for football use only with a footprint allowing 70,000 fans to view football.

[Skooby]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

Look at my name, lol.

[Jan Reimers]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

It would certainly help downtown, but would also be extremely expensive. And Orchard Park works well for traffic, parking and tailgating, plus the Ralph has great sightlines and a lot of character.

Some serious money spent on widening concourses, more and better restrooms, concession stands, etc. - which would still cost far less than a new stadium - would cure many of the Ralph's current problems.

[trapezeus]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

a stadium is only piece of the puzzle of fixing downtown. getting partial pieces to a plan to fix it up is annoying. Throw away $1bn to build a stadium and then still have no businesses down there isn't going to do anyone any good.

yes, there will be some ancillary increases at chippewa, but not to the degree worth $1bn.

[JCBills]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

a stadium is only piece of the puzzle of fixing downtown. getting partial pieces to a plan to fix it up is annoying. Throw away $1bn to build a stadium and then still have no businesses down there isn't going to do anyone any good.

yes, there will be some ancillary increases at chippewa, but not to the degree worth $1bn.

If you build it, they will come.

If they were able build it while having enough space for tailgating, it would open the city up.

Put the stadium in and businesses will follow. They want to be around the commotion, especially if it becomes more than just a football venue.

[G Wolly]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

I don't think there's a plausible way to have a downtown stadium without sacrificing tailgating.

[tampabay25690]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

Where would we tailgate?????

[Dozerdog]

Re: Should the Ralph be moved downtown?

This is the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban, South Africa.

It cost $450m to build and held 62,760 for the 2010 World Cup. It also includes an indoor arena, transmodal transport system, sports institute and museum.

Due to its modular seating design, it can hold 54,000 for local games, 69,000 for cricket and up to 80,000 for a future Olympic games. It could be modified to make it exclusive for football use only with a footprint allowing 70,000 fans to view football.

That stadium would cost twice as much in the USA due to labor costs, environmental impact studies, and a ton of other crap we have to put up with to get anything done.